Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-08-26
FOREIGN NEWS.
GladstOne's Speech in the
House Of Commons
ON THE IRISH QUESTION.
Prince Ferdinand's Action Gre
ates Much Dissent Among the
Continental Powers.
Associated Press Dispatches to the Herald. 4

| Associated Press Dispatches to the Herald.
LONDON, August 25.-All the Par
nellites will return to London to-day.
in readiness for the debate this even
ing. Notice was given by Gladstone
in the House OF Commons of resolu-
ton that IL humble address be pre-
sented to the Queen, representing that
the Viceroy has proclaimed the Ma
tional League a danger GUS associa-
ton; that no information has been
given Parlia ment to justify the procla-
nation, by virtue of which her
majesty's subjects are to be rendered
liable to be punished as criminals
without judicial inquiry into the
nature of their acts, anu that this
House, in the absence of such in
formation, pray that said proclama-
ton shall not continue in force as to
the Association named and described
therein. Balfour will follow Glad
stone tonight, and Sir G. o. Trevelyn
will move to adjourn the debate.
EvENING-N THE HOUSE.
Gladstone was greeted with cheers
in the House of Commons this even
ing when he moved his resolution.
He said that the Irish Viceroy, in de-
claring that the league had melted to
violence, must have acted on Informal
ton, but where was that information
GROUNDS OF THE ARGUMENT.
The Irish chief had right to know
the ground on which the government
had acted. If the facts were withheld
the opposition must forthwith urge
three propositions upon the House
and government.
First, that it was almost an outrage
on the dignity of Parliament to sup
pose that it was to discharge such inn
portant statutory duty without know
ing the grounds.
Second, it reduced to utter destruc-
ton and to an absurdity the main
contention that the Government ad-
vanced during the discussion of the
Crimes Act, and the safeguard prom -
ised had proved failure.
Third, what could the House think
of information that they must receive
without investigation?
RIGHTS SET ASIDE.
The governments action absolutely
excluded the House from anything
except absurd and perfunctory opera
ton in connection with the great duty
devolved upon it by the statute. There
would be no jury, judge or resident
magistrate and no Parliament to con-
troll Ireland. There would be nothing
but the absolr te unmitigated arbitrary
act of the Irish executive who was
necessarily partisan.
"NoT LONG TO WATT" 6ssF
He hoped that the Irish would con-
tinue to bear the pressure. They
would not have to suffer long. 1t was
certain they would not obey the law
through fear, but from strong, vivid
and buoyant hope which even, at least
at the last election, was not damaged
and which now was brighter.
BALFoUR's REPLY.
Balfour said that Gladstone would
have been wiser had he rested his ar
gument on the allegation that the
house was ignorant of the grounds for
the proclamation, rather than on u
defense of the league. There was suf-
ficent foundation to justify the procla-
nation in the columns of the local
newspapers, without going into the
governments confidential reports.
THE DOCUMENTS WITHHELD.
Replying to questions from Harcourt,
Balfour refused to submit the docu-
ments voted, and the Speaker said
that the secretary was not bound to
table confidential documents, but the
case was different with official papers.
A FINAL APPEAL.
Harcourt again asked if the papers
were to be tabled.
Balfour said, "No, the documents
were both public and confidential pa
pers and his own notes. If the people
realized the true nature and workings
of the league they would support the
Government.
ADJOURNMENT.
After further remarks by Balfour,
O'Connor and Z. w. Russell the de-
bate was adjourned.
LIBERAL SUPPORT.
Forty Liberal members of Parlia-
ment held a meeting to-day, and re-
solved to support the Irish National
League, as they were satisfied that
the organization was purely political
one. Twenty other Liberal members
wrote letter expressing sympathy
with the purpose of the meeting.